Fish species in Japan

Japanese sardine

マイワシ · iwashi
Sardinops melanostictus

A silver schooling fish with spots along the side. Small sabiki hooks and gentle handling suit its delicate body.

Habitat and season

Coastal bays and passing schools near harbour entrances.

Recorded fishing season: Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
Scientific name: Sardinops melanostictus
Japanese name: マイワシ

Months are a broad guide, not a current catch forecast. Region, water temperature and local closures can change the season.

Fishing methods

Sabiki fishing

A multi-hook rig imitates tiny prey while a bait basket releases a small trail of shrimp. Fish vertically at a permitted pier rather than swinging exposed hooks through a crowd.

Find places to fish

Osaka · Managed fishing park

海とのふれあい広場海釣りテラス

Japanese horse mackerel · Chub mackerel · Japanese sardine

Aomori · Harbour

鯵ヶ沢漁港

Japanese horse mackerel · Black rockfish · Chub mackerel

Akita · Harbour

道川漁港

Japanese horse mackerel · Japanese whiting · Chub mackerel

Akita · Harbour

金浦漁港

Japanese horse mackerel · Japanese sardine · Red barracuda

Find spots for japanese sardine on the map →

Cooking

Detailed recipes for this species are currently in Japanese. Open the Japanese cooking guide →

Compare related fish

Detailed Japanese species notes

細長い銀色の体に黒い斑点が並ぶことがあり、鱗ははがれやすい。

身が柔らかく傷みやすいので、持ち帰る魚は早めに冷やす。

Full Japanese page, including available 3D model →